Back in high school, a good friend of mine told me that things have a way of working themselves out. It somehow stuck to me and it happened this September when I headed to Vigan for an Ilocos tour. I had initially planned trip to Buscalan for the weekend of September 15 but the trip was cancelled a week before. I really needed a time away from my usual routine. It had been months since I was on a trip and my wanderlust was creeping in. So when Metro Vigan Fiesta Garden Hotel invited bloggers I was excited to be part of it! Booked my ticket online at Partas (thanks to Biyaheroes) and I was good to go.

So let’s be honest. All you want is to lie down on a soft bed when you’ve just spent 12 hours on the bus from Cubao. We arrived in Vigan a little past four in the morning so I was tired and sleepy. Our bus dropped us off right in front of Metro Vigan Fiesta Hotel along the National Highway. The first thing that caught my eye as I alighted the bus was the beautiful carved door in front of me. Intricate carvings of Filipino traditions adorn the main door.

As we entered, the hotel gave that Filipino homey vibe. Sketches of Spanish Filipinas on the pillows will welcome you in the lobby as you put your bags down and get your room key. The whole hotel was quiet as we rang the reception bell. We headed straight to the room to get some shut-eye before our scheduled breakfast. My eye immediately caught the double bed waiting for me. I looked around our deluxe room and noticed the LCD TV mounted on the wall, two glasses beside a water heater, a mini fridge, and our cabinet with big mirrors as its doors. The mirrors cam handy when checking out our #OOTD before heading out for our tours. Two sockets were just beside my bed so I plugged my devices and headed to dreamland even for two hours.

We had our breakfast past 8 in the morning and met my fellow travel bloggers. We were then given a tour to see more of the hotel. It had 53 rooms in its two-storey building. Each room had this intricate carved door made by in Paete, Laguna. I enjoyed spotting the lechon, palo sebo, tinikling, and other fiesta traditions as we roamed around the halls. The bright yellow walls will add sunshine to your day! Their Executive Suite will make you feel like you’re living in your own space: a wooden bathroom interior with a bath, a king-sized bed with padded headboard, a dining table to entertain guests, and a sofa set when you just want to hang around with friends.

Door to Executive Suite

It was raining non-stop so the group decided to head to the plaza to grab some authentic Vigan empanada. Later that night we headed to the AMICI VIP Lounge to enjoy a hearty serving of Ilocos bagnet while getting to know more about each other. Trips become more memorable when you have the right bunch of people to enjoy the moments. The VIP Lounge turns into a videoke room for the Filipinos favorite past time! Enjoy a night of bonding, eating, and singing.

We went on our Ilocos Norte tour when the sun shone that Thursday morning. Our last stop was the sand dunes of Laoag. While we were riding the 4x4 and enjoying the thrill, I can’t help but remember the hotel’s spa. Doesn’t a massage sound great after a day of adventure? Imagine spending some minutes on the steam room then soaking in the jacuzzi. Then lying on the massage table for a good body massage. However, I just wanted to sleep after we arrived at the hotel so I chose to just settle for a hot shower from the rain showerhead in our bathroom before slipping into my pajamas.

Metro Vigan Fiesta Garden Hotel is a place to consider if you’re looking for a mix of luxury, historical feel, and Filipino fiesta vibe.

Getting There:
Buses to Vigan/Laoag are in Cubao. Best to ride Partas along Aurora Boulevard. Overnight trip is around 6-8 hours. Ask the bus conductor to drop you right in front of Fiesta Garden Hotel.

Pag-asa has already declared the start of rainy season here in the Philippines. While it’s time to say goodbye to your bikinis, it doesn’t mean you can no longer bond with your friends. The perfect alternative? Archery! Yes, shoot arrows with your friends at the newest branch of Kodanda. Tucked in the quiet parking area of Mall of Asia Annex Building, Kodanda Archery Range is perfect if you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day.

I wrote more about archery back when I visited Kodanda in Makati and did a review. The MOA Annex Branch is the biggest branch to-date. It has 12 lanes with means you and 11 friends and enjoy the place as you battle your skills in dexterity, strength, energy, and vitality (hello, Diablo game skills). The whole place is airconditioned so you won’t be sweating unless you’re so focused and tensed on hitting your target.

For only Php580, you get a one-hour session that includes complete archery gear, target paper, and a basic instructions from highly trained coaches. If you think one hour is too short, then you probably haven’t played at the right time. We visited the place at 3pm and we had it all for ourselves! We did more than 10 rounds of shooting 5 arrows to our paper target. No bull’s eye, though.

If you’re like me who have always dreamt of becoming an archer (and chooses the archer in every RPG game), then you know where to go. Bring a friend or two because you’ll definitely want a photo in this place.

How to get there:

MOA Annex Building is beside MOA Arena. When you reach the building, go to the alley between Yellowcab and Coffeebean. You should see the archery range when you turn right at the parking lot.
Branch is open from 10 am to 10pm daily.

Spent my birthday last March 2013 in Iloilo and Guimaras. It was quick and we did not get to visit all churches and cemeteries in Iloilo. Guimaras also needed more days to enjoy. Still, happy to have spent my birthday in a new place in the Philippines. Must get on track on my personal goal of 81 provinces by 30 years old!

Maybe Nacpan and I were not meant to be that time. They say timing is everything. I enjoy falling in love with new places but I was more eager to meet Nacpan during our visit to El Nido. The strong drops of raining falling on the metal roof that Tuesday morning meant we have to stay indoors. We packed our bags and moved from Skyline Inn, a budget room smacked right in the middle of the town, to Talindak Cottages which was homey and a good choice if we wanted to stay indoors.

Woke up to heavy rain in Skyline Inn

It took our tricycle driver around 20 minutes to drop us at the corner leading to Talindak. There were no paved roads from the main road going to the resort. It was all muddy and some parts were even in puddles. I did not mind getting my feet wet as it was already drizzling. I was relieved as soon as I saw the native cottages facing the sea. The waves were wild and no shore was visible. The rain was crazier when we started ringing the reception bell. Our host allowed us to stay in the mini bar area as they fixed our room. We got a beachfront but there was no beach that morning. It was all rain and sea. We placed our bags in a bamboo cabinet.

From L to R (clockwise): (1) Beachfront view from our room (2) view of the cottages from the beach
(3) our room for the night

Kuya was kind enough to give us free coffee as we settled ourselves in the cottage balcony. It is a known fact that there is no electricity in El Nido from 6am to 2pm. We were there as early as 9am so we occupied ourselves with our own choice of reading. I have always believed that rain, coffee, and books were a good combination. Apparently it is better when you are facing the sea even if the waves appear deadly.

Our companions for the rainy morning

Our beachfront cottage was so cozy. Our room was spacious and the balcony was ideal for reading, chilling and even playing cards. We were eager to try the seats nearer to the shore so when the rain stopped we immediately patted the chairs dry and continued our reading. By noon we had decided to skip the land tour to Nacpan as weather was not improving. Rain was as moody as a girl on her period. I would know. So I accepted that I was not fated to gaze at Nacpan that day but rather have the much needed slow day.

Talindak Cottages did not have any restaurant so we were pointed to the nearest place, Greenview Resort. We had two ways to get there - by the beach or by the main road. Little as I am, I still chose the beach. The waves were a bit kind. I just got my knees wet but reached the resort in one piece. We headed to their second floor where the restaurant was located. There were a few guests - two Caucasian couples and one male solo traveler working on his laptop. We chose a seat with a view then ordered bbq and chopsuey. Food is a bit on the midrange price. As if there were other choices on that rainy Tuesday.

Chopsuey for Php160.00 (good for two)

BBQ meal with iced tea for Php200.00

We headed back to Talindak afterwards and the shore was beginning to show itself. Even children had gone out of their houses to play in the sea. We would later find out that the shallow shore would stretch long.

I took a nap when electricity was back and the rain started to fall again. I woke up at around four with the shore completely revealing itself and the rain stopping. J was in our balcony planning the week ahead. We took the chance to walk around the beach before the dark clouds looming would reach us.

The day ended with grilled liempo, rice, and coke consumed at our balcony. I did not see the famed El Nido sunset but it was still a beautiful day. More peaceful than other days. I guess the world needed me to slow down.

Love is unexpected. You believe you are meant for something when some other thing captures your heart. Talindak was unexpected love but it reminded me of things I needed to appreciate. I enjoyed being with my guy on a rainy day because he was my own pocket of sunshine. I fell in love with the gloomy weather. I remembered the simple joy of having a book while you watched drops of rain. The bamboo wind chimes added a rustic touch. I fell in love with the feeling of having a simple life. It was perfect timing as the next day we went back to Puerto Princesa unsure of our flight then got to fly back to Makati two hours over our expected arrival; and finally entered a room with no electricity because of Glenda.

Back when I was a kid, I followed what my brother did during his free time. This meant playing Diablo I and II on our personal computers. While my brother chose to go with barbarian class, I chose to go with the amazon. I always preferred the bow and arrow as my weapon of choice. Even for cartoons I always root for the archer. I was already building my amazon character named "Liria" to reach at least level 45 even before the time of Legolas and Katniss Everdeen. Being an archer was always a dream. I finally got to hold a bow and arrow last May 26 to check if I can actually be a real life archer.

One Monday afternoon, I paid a visit to Kodanda Archery Range in Makati Cinema Square which is just a few blocks from the apartment. Let's assess first my stats as an "amazon" based on Diablo's skills set but having the maximum at 100.

SKILL STATS

STRENGTH: 80

DEXTERITY: 70

ENERGY: 60

VITALITY: 75

CHARACTER LEVEL:

LVL 1

It is safe to assume I did not get a bull's eye nor did all my arrows hit the target. One even flew above the target, bounced on the wall then landed at the back of someone else's target. In a nutshell, I sucked BUT IT WAS FUN. I see myself going back to that fully air-conditioned archery range and trying it out again and again until I finally level up.

The good thing is you don't need any membership fees and it is open to the public. It won't break your wallet as they have an hourly fee that already includes range rental, use of international-standard equipment and protective gear, and coaching on archery basic from expert instructors. It's also easy to locate. If you're coming from Buendia/Gil Puyat, go down at Pasong Tamo/Chino Roces and ride a jeepney going to Magallanes. Stop at Makati Cinema Square then just head to the basement. It's quite easy to spot.

o Ronna May Alvarez (former member of developmental team of the
Phil.)

□ Sessions will be adjusted to
the student’s schedule

Group Packages

Groups of up to 15 guests may avail
of Group Packages that includes rental of international-standard equipment and
protective gear, and coaching on archery basics from expert instructors. It may also include parlor games and/or
coaching sessions depending on the intention of the group. Rates also vary depending on the exact number
of guests and duration of stay in the range.

Contact Information

Reservations
and further inquiries can be made through contact numbers (02)621.9109 and (0932)843.6614, look for May. Our email address
is kodandaarchery@gmail.com. You may also check our Facebook page: KodandaArcheryRange.